Underdog Titans keep rolling on home floor

Wednesday

Feb 21, 2018 at 12:34 AM

Class 2A EPG Regional semifinal

Blaine Lewallen

After defeating Eureka Friday night, sixth-seeded El Paso-Gridley was looking for another win over another higher-seeded team in the Class 2A El Paso-Gridley Regional Tuesday. The Titans got just that, as they defeated tourney top-seed Westmont 50-47 to advance to Friday’s championship game. “We preach at them to keep their head up and that they’re always in it,” EPG head coach Nathaniel Meiss said. “I’m really proud of the way we fought back.” Westmont used a short 6-0 spurt in the fourth quarter that put the Sentinels in front 47-43 with 1:45 left. This prompted an EPG timeout. Dylan Smith knocked down crucial 3-pointer after the timeout. A steal then allowed Hub Halvorsen to score with 35 seconds left, giving EPG a 48-47 lead. On the ensuing possession, Halvorsen was able to get another steal, dishing it to Smith in the process. Smith was fouled and knocked down both free throws to complete a 7-0 run that closed out the game, and the win. “It’s good to have one more,” Meiss said. “You extend the season a little bit, and gives us the chance to keep extending the season.” The host Titans were able to get off to a fast start, as 3-pointers by Smith and Halvorsen for an 8-2 lead midway through the first quarter. Eventually, the Sentinels were able to get back into it, tying the game at 10-10 with 2:35 left in the first quarter. Both teams would battle back and forth for the remainder of the period, but Westmont held a 19-17 lead going into the second. The teams would stay neck and neck in the second period, as well, but eventually the Sentinels were able to rattle off a few straight baskets. The Titans went scoreless for the last 6:43 of the quarter as they trailed 27-21 heading into halftime. The Titans battled their way back into things in the third quarter, as their pressure 1-3-1 zone was causing all sorts of havoc for the Sentinels. After Westmont held a 30-23 lead with 5:30 left in the third, the Titans went on an 8-2 run to pull the deficit to one, at 32-31, heading into the final frame. Aaron Steiner was able to score three straight baskets on nice feeds by Jack Weber. This was followed by another Steiner bucket following two Westmont free throws. “Aaron Steiner was everywhere,” Meiss said of his senior forward. “He did so many good things for us, so many things that don’t go in the scorebook. He was fantastic tonight.” The fourth quarter saw much of the same results, as it remained very back and forth throughout. After two free throws by Michael Thompson gave the Sentinels a 39-38 lead, a Weber bucket followed by a Steiner and-one gave allowed the Titans to regain the lead at 43-39 with 4:34 left. Then came the dramatic finish. Smith led the way for EPG (16-12) with 14 points, while Halvorsen added 13 points. Steiner contributed 11 points, Weber finished with 8 and Noah Smith and Teron Fairchild each contributed 2 points. Westmont (17-11) was led by Caden Anderson’s 19 points.

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